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Rico Barr
"Rico's Band Swings and his singing style reminds me of a combination of Louis Prima and Buddy Greco "-Ron DellaChiesa 99.1 FM
About Me
The professional musical career of the multi-faceted Rico Barr began
at the age of fourteen with special permission from the Musicians
Union due to his under age status. By the age of seventeen he was
playing drums with the Ted Herbert Orchestra, one of New Englands top
dance bands�many of whose members went on to play with Woody Hermans
legendary Third Herd. While hardly out of his teens, his drumming
could be heard in such diverse settings as the Hampton Beach Concert
Orchestra, jazz and show bands, and backing up rock legend, Chuck
Berry.
Seeking new musical horizons, Rico began a songwriting and singing
career fronting Rico Barr and The American Blues. The Blues members
included rock veteran, Harvey Brooks, best known for his work with
Buddy Miles and the Electric Flag and Bob Dylan, and producer Harry
King, who has produced such notables as Joe Perry of Aerowsmith,
Jackson Browne and Englebert Humperdink.
This collaboration led to the album release, Dangerous Curves. Rico's
performance had radio programmers comparing him to both Bruce
Springsteen and Billy Joel. After years as a nonstop club performer,
Rico once again changed his course to concentrate on song writing.
His songs have been recorded by Carmen Z, Christopher, and the Silver
Dollar Band who won a national competition in Nashville performing
Rico’s composition, On the Borderline. Rico himself scored a top
forty dance club hit with Forbidden Love, recorded in both English and
Spanish. This song also appears on CMJ Volume 16 with the Neville
Brothers.
Rico has been nominated as swing drummer and vocalist of the year by
the National Swing Awards and his CD the Guido Shuffle� was nominated
as swing CD of the year.
His latest CD :THis IS IT has been described as Swing Meets Salsa
with selections ranging from Sinatra to Celia Cruz Classics